Properly cooling a Raspberry Pi helps it run better, especially when temperatures rise due to the performance of a specific task that requires the use of greater resources, generating certain instability until it cools down.
It is true that the Raspberry Pi can operate without a heat dissipating device attached to it at temperatures between 60 and 110 degrees. However, many experts recommend that you put a fan compatible with the model we are using.
In this guide We are going to show you the reasons why you have to think about installing a fan to your Raspberry Pi, the right way to place it without making any mistakes and the best kits you will find on the market to improve plate cooling.
What is a fan for on a Raspberry Pi and how many can I connect per board?
A properly installed fan on the Raspberry Pi allows the plate to work better. At the moment of making intense use of the processor and the temperature reaches a certain level, the system protects itself, which leads to a slowdown and the tasks will go very slow, this to avoid failures.
That is what we want to avoid, that the process slows down and that the mini computer overheats. To do this, it is advisable to place a small fan. According to the specifications of the plate, up to two fans can be connected to the 5V ports to give them more speed.
Learn step by step how to connect a fan to a Raspberry Pi single board from scratch and without errors
The installation of a fan is simple, with a few steps you will have it up and running in minutes. Before starting the setup, the mini computer must be disconnected from the electrical system, so you will not run the risk of causing damage.
In the case of Raspberry Pi 3, have a more powerful processor than the previous ones, which makes when fully charged it gets very hot. The data reflects that it can reach temperatures of 85 degrees. Therefore, we are going to indicate how to connect an external fan.
The Pi 4, due to the power of this plate, it also gives off a lot of heat, This is evidenced by the USB ports that are faster as well as the Ethernet port, added to the combination of the CPU and GPU. All of it it requires more energy and therefore increases its temperature levels. The various comparative tables that have been made, have shown that there is a marked difference between having the heat sinks and fans placed on a plate.
So if you are going to use the Raspberry for a long time it is better to place it:
Connect to any Raspberry model
Adding a fan to the monoplate is not complicated at all, the steps to be taken to install it are the same in any of the models:
- Disconnect the power supply of the Raspberry Pi.
- Locate the pins 5V, which are the first two on the left side, and GND that they are together.
- On the 5V pin you put the red wire of the fan and the black one you connect it to the GND.
- Now connect the source to see if the fan starts spinning.
- Yes the fan does not work, turn off again and check the connections.
Another option is buy a box that already has the fan connected and it comes with all printed instructions. There are many models, but we will talk about that below. Equally, you can choose a heatsink let the temperature drop. There are also different models with particular characteristics that can be useful to us.
Meet the best fan and heat sink kits you can buy for your Raspberry Pi
At this point you have probably already thought that you need a cooling system for your Raspberry Pi. Here I We leave some of the kits available on the net evaluating their price and quality.
Among them you can choose the one of your convenience, adjusting to your budget and needs:
GeeekPi Raspberry Pi 4
It is compatible with Pi 4B and Pi 3B + models, using aluminum for the manufacture of the heat sink with a pair of tapes that allow it to be fixed firmly. The heatsink is included in the kit together with the fan, another copper heatsink and four thermal tapes, two for the 4B and the same number for the 3B +.
Easycargo Raspberry Pi
The model presented is compatible with Raspberry Pi series 2 and 3 in all its updates. The kit includes a 48mm fan, two pieces of aluminum, and a copper heatsink.
Ultimate 3510 Fan Kit
Now we show a cooling system designed for Raspberry Pi 3 B +, which includes a rear protective shell. It has two aluminum blocks that help dissipate heat and a powerful fan that is low noise.
Seamuing Raspberry Pi
This cooling tool works on Pi 4, 3 B, 3+, Zero and Zero W models among other computers. The 5V fan comes as a good cooling option, with installation screws and a very low noise that does not interfere with daily activities.
The prices of the kits vary depending on what they bring included, but in the case of only the fan you can get them from $ 5 onwards, a good investment considering the functionalities it fulfills, lowering the processor temperature by half.